Internship: CRMA Print Collection Intern
Internship: CRMA Print Collection Intern
Position Details:
Duration/Hours: 10 weeks, 20 hours/week
Pay: $16.25/hour
Start Date: June 10, 2024 (can be flexible)
Position Description:
The internship project will focus on the Cedar Rapids Museum of Art’s collection of Bertha Jaques prints, 636 in total. The intern will work directly with the collection, inventorying it, confirming storage locations, photographing it, sorting out any duplicate prints accessioned under different titles, confirming dates, and updating the collections database.
Throughout this process, the intern will:
• View and record the Jaques prints in our collection, including noting inconsistencies, various states, dating issues, and potential duplicates
• Build a photographic record of the prints
• Develop their own visual knowledge of the Jaques work
• Maintain good collections standards
The intern will largely work independently but will also work closely with the Museum’s Curator and Registrar and will be an active participant in the curatorial department. The Jaques project is the focus of the internship, but there will also be the opportunity to observe how the museum works and attend departmental and museum-wide meetings. Though not the goal of the project, the intern would also be welcome to propose any exhibition ideas that occur through working with the prints.
Position Requirements:
Current (or recently graduated) Master’s degree or Ph.D. students in art history or museum studies preferred, though undergraduates and candidates with degrees in related fields may be considered; excellent writing skills; strong attention to detail; good organization skills; ability to meet deadlines; ability to perform the physical requirements of the position including standing for long periods of time; ability to work well alone and in a group. Optional, but highly preferred: experience with museum registration methods, inventory process, and art handling experience. We encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every one of the qualifications listed.
Application Deadline and Selection Process: Application materials (letter of interest and resume) must be received by midnight May 17, 2024. Phone interviews for selected candidates will be held the week of May 27, and selection will be made the same week.
Application Details: Send letter of interest and resume via email to Julia Jessen, Curator of Collections and Exhibitions at jjessen@crma.org. Questions are welcome.
The Print Collection:
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art has a broad print collection, dating from the 15th century to the present day. A fair portion of the collection is comprised of works by renowned late 19th and early 20th century printmaker Bertha Jaques (1863-1941), and her student, James Swann (1905-1985), longtime head of the Prairie Printmakers. Jaques, one of the founders of the Chicago Society of Etchers, lived in Cedar Rapids prior to moving to Chicago with her husband, whom she met in nearby Mt. Vernon, Iowa. The CRMA possesses a copy of almost every print she created, which came to us through the auspices of her student James Swann as well as the Elizabeth F. Cheney Foundation.
This internship is made possible by a generous grant from the International Fine Print Dealers Association Foundation.
The physical requirements and work environment characteristics described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of the position or may be encountered while performing the essential functions of this position. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with a disability to perform the essential functions to the extent the CRMA may do so without undue hardship. The term “qualified individual with a disability” means an individual who with or without reasonable accommodation can perform the essential functions of the position.
While performing the duties of this position, the employee is frequently required to follow and give oral and written instructions in English; stand, walk, and/or sit for extended periods of time with limited breaks; use hands to finger, handle or feel, reach with hands and arm, and reach above shoulder height. The employee is regularly required to climb or balance, squat, kneel, and crouch. The employee is occasionally required to detect smells and lift, drag and/or move up to 50 pounds unassisted. The employee is required to visually or otherwise identify, observe and assess. Special vision abilities required by this position include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus. Employee is required to move about their work area, between areas in the buildings and the grounds, ascend and descend stairs. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate and generally does not require the use of hearing protection equipment.
The preceding position description indicates the general nature and essential duties and responsibilities of work performed by employees within this position. It may not contain a comprehensive inventory of all duties, responsibilities, and qualifications required of employees to do this job. Nothing in this position description restricts management’s right to assign or reassign duties and responsibilities to this position at any time nor does it proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.
The Cedar Rapids Museum of Art is an equal opportunity employer.